Clothes-handling device



Nov. 9 1926. 1,606,429

. A. KLEIN CLOTHES HANDLING DEVICE Filed Feb. 11. 1926 Patented Nov. 9, lQZfi.

1 turn STAE AUGUST KLEIN, OF FORT WAYNE, INDIANA.

CLOTHES-HANDLING DEVICE.

Application filed February In handling domestic wash, when a stick or broom handle is used to remove washed clothing from boiling water, there is great danger that the water draining from the clothing may scald or burn the operators hands. To obviate the above condition and to facilitate the handling of clothes in a wash boiler, this invention has been conceived and relates to an improved clothes handling device consisting of a sticker rod having a clothes lifting fork at one end thereof and an adjustable guard intermediate the ends of the stick to protect the hands of the person using the device in the removal of boiling clothes from a domestic clothes boiler.

It is an object of this invention to provide a boiler clothes stick or rod having a guard thereon adapted to divert the boiling water which usually runs down the rodwhen the same is being used for the purpose of removing the boiled clothes from a domestic boiler.

It is an important object ofthis inven-L tion to provide a clothes handling device for use in handling domestic boiled wash, said device having means on one end thereof carrying fingers or prongs, adapted to facilitate engaging clothes within a boiler to permit the same to be lifted therefrom, without endangering the handsof an operator, due to the fact that the device is also provided with a guard which is adapted to intercept the flow of hot water down the device and divert said water back into the boiler.

Other and further important objects of this invention will be apparent from the disclosures in the specification and the accompanying drawings.

The invention (in a preferred form) is illustrated in the drawings and hereinafter more fully described.

()n the drawings:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevation of an improved clothes handling device embodying the principles of this invention, and shown in connection with a fragmentary portion of aclothes boiler.

Figure 2 is an enlarged end view of the fork end of the device.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line IIIIII of Figure 2.

Figure l is an enlarged longitudinal section taken through a modified form of a 11, 1926. Serial No. 87,500.

guard member and showing a fragmentary portion of the handle or bar in elevation.

Figure 5 is a transverse section taken on line VV of Figure 4t.

As shown on the drawings:

The reference numeral 1 indicates a fragmentary portion of an ordinary metal domestic clothes boiler having engaged 011 the upper beaded rim thereof, a clothes handling device embodying the principles of this invention. The clothes handling device comprises a long wooden rod, handle or stick 2, conveniently rounded at one end at 3. Engaged over the opposite end of the handle 2 is a metal hood or cap 4:, having an integral peripheral flange 5 at the inner open end thereof. The cap. 4: is rigidly securedin place by means of a retaining pin or bolt 6 which projects through apertures in said cap and through a diametrical passage provided in one end of said handle2. Integrally formed on the cap 4: is a pair of outwardly diverging fingers or arms 7, constructed of metal and having rounded ball members or heads 8 integrally formed on the outer ends thereof; The arms '7 together with the cap a afford a fork mem-' her, the tines 7 of which may be convenient 1y used for engaging clothes within the boiler 1, as hereinafter more clearly described.

Securely mounted-uponthe handle 2 intermediate the ends thereof, is aconcavoconvex or dished metal guard 9 which is formed on a peripherally grooved shank or collar 10, which is rigidly secured by a set screw or any other suitable means, to said handle 2. The shank 10 of the guard 9 is peripherally grooved to permit the same to be readily seated upon the upper beaded edge of the boiler l, as illustrated in Figure 1. This permits the forked end of the device to be engaged in the boiler with the device fulcrumed on the shank 10, permitting the handle to be used as a lever pivoting on the rim of said boiler to permit boiled clothes to be engaged and lifted from said boiler.

Figures 4 and 5 illustrate a modified form of guard for the handle 2. The modified form of guard comprises a concave-convex or dished metal guard or shield 11, which is integrally formed on one end of a collar or shank 12 provided with a peripheral groove 13 between rounded ribs or beads 141. The shank 12 is provided with a longitudinal groove having pivotally mounted therein at 16, a clamping dog or pawl 17, the outer end of which is provided with a finger or pin 18 which projects outwardly through an aperture in said shank 12 to permit operation of the pivoted clamping dog. The clamping end of the dog 17 is adapted to be resiliently held clamped against the outer face of the handle 2 by means of a ball 19, engaged by means of a coil spring 20 seated within a socket 21 integrally formed on said shank 12. A screw plug 22 is engaged in the outer end of said socket 21 to hold the spring in compressed position.

It will thus be seen that when a guard 11 isused on the handle 2, that said guard may be adjusted longitudinally on said handle by pressing on the pin 18, thereby releasing the clamping end of the dog 17 against the action of the spring 20 which is compressed. When the clamping dog 17 is released, the guard 11 may be shifted longitudinally in. any desired position on the handle 2. When the pin 18 is released, the spring 20 and the ball 19 act to force the inner end of the dog 17 back into clamping relation with tl e handle 2, thereby holding the guard 11 in its adjusted position.

When it is desired to use the device as illustrated in Figure 1, the grooved shank 10 of the guard 9 is seated on the upper beaded edge of the clothes boiler 1, with the forked end of the device positioned over the top of said boiler. The forked end of the device may then be lowered into the boiler and the handle 2 is then rotated so that the arms or tines 7 may become engaged with some of the clothes in the boiler 1. The outer end of the handle may now be swung downwardly, thereby engaging the clothes on the arms 7 to permit said clothes to drain before being completely removed from the boiler. In

lifting the device, one hand of the operator is engaged in back of the shield or guard 9 while the other is engaged at the outer end of the handle so that the improved clothes handling device may be lifted oif of the boiler in order that the clothes on the end of the device may be deposited in a basket or tub as desired. In lifting boiled clothes from the boiler 1, any water running down the handle 2 from the forked end of the device is intercepted by the dished or concaved guard 9 which acts to diver or throw the boiling water outwardly away from the person back into the boiler 1. It will thus be seen that the guard 9 acts as a means for protecting the hands of a person using the improved clothes handling device, thereby obviating burns and scalding which so often occurs when the ordinary wash stick is used.

I am aware that many changes may be made, and numerous details of construction may be varied through a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention, and I therefore do not purpose limiting the patent granted hereon, otherwise than necessitated by the prior art.

I claim as my invention:

A clothes handling device of the class described comprising a long handle, a collar engaged on said handle, a dog pivotally mounted in said collar, means for resiliently holding said dog in clamping relation with said handle to hold said collar in an ad justed position, a pin on said dog projecting through an opening in said collar to facilitate operation of said dog, and a guard formed on said collar adapted to divert any water running down the handle when the device is used.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name.

AUGUST KLEIN. 

